LOVE KNOTS: A Wedding Ritual

What follows is an excerpt from a wedding ceremony I wrote for Bill and Chelsea who were being married at the historic Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut. I've included some of the stage direction in case you'd like to use the ritual for your own wedding.

Excerpt from LOVE KNOTS:
Here in Mystic Seaport, the history and lore of sailing surrounds us. Knots are a big part of that world. We associate knots with sailors. But they aren’t the only people known for tying knots. Knots are a part of our life, too. We tie ribbons in hair and cord on packages. We tie the laces on shoes, the drawstring on sweatpants, the belt on a bathrobe. Some of those knots are to ensure something works; some are simply for beauty. It was the same in the Old World, too, particularly for the Celts. In fact, when sailors from the Old World embarked on a long ocean voyage, they often carried a sea bag of what they called "fancy work." When the voyage ended and the sailors returned to port, they had made belts and bracelets, rings, and hair ornaments – gifts for family and friends, particularly for a sweetheart.

When a wedding followed, there would be more gifts. In fact, for as long as couples have gotten married, friends and family have shown their support by giving gifts. Couples today might receive anything from a kitchen blender to a crystal bowl. In much earlier times, wedding gifts symbolized qualities desired in a marriage. Harkening back to those days, and in honor of Groom’s love of boating and Bride’s love of the beach, I now invite the presentation of three special knots.

[Prior to the ceremony, I tied the three knots and gave them to three guests. As I called the guests, each came forward, read from a card I had prepared, and presented the knot to the Couple.]

First, the Arbor Knot.

“The Arbor Knot is used to tie new line to the reel. It’s the first knot you need to learn. It’s made of two ordinary, everyday, overhand knots. It doesn’t have to be that strong and it’s easy to learn. May this knot always hold your hearts with love.”

Now, the Lovers’ Knot.

“The Lovers’ Knot holds two halves together equally and prevents either one from fraying. May this knot always hold your hearts with love.”

And finally, the Marriage Knot.

"The Celtic Marriage knot creates a weave of several paths into the shape of a heart. The pattern represents the idea that when two people independent and whole unto themselves are joined by love, the weave they create makes them stronger and more beautiful together than either was before. May this knot always hold your hearts with love.”

The ritual itself ends here. An ideal next step is to have one of the guests read “The Art of Marriage” by Wilferd Peterson.